ALEXANDRA BRAINERD

I’m Alexandra, a marine ecologist and scientific diver specializing in ecological monitoring, coastal resilience, and island ecosystems. With a B.S. and M.A. from Stanford University, my work spans underwater surveys, kelp forest and MPA monitoring, island restoration, naturalist education, and science communication. I currently serve as Senior Naturalist at the Catalina Island Conservancy and as Vice President and project lead with Bleu World, supporting long-term kelp forest monitoring, community partnerships, and restoration-focused citizen science on Catalina. My goal is to bridge marine research, storytelling, and community engagement to support resilient coastal ecosystems. Explore my site to learn more about my fieldwork, research projects, and communication work.